Owner
City and County of San Francisco / San Francisco Airport Commission
Architect
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
Facade Consultant
Curtainwall Design Consulting
GC
Tutor-Saliba Corporation
Completion
2000
Program
5-story, 144 ft; 1.65 million sqft
Building Type
Transportation
Technology Type
Skylights
Facade
Comprehensive engineering, fabrication and installation services for this large and varied facade program
Glass
Clear and translucent laminated panel
Description
Elegant and distinctive double cantilevered trusses support the 400 ft terminal roof and integral skylights
|
San Francisco International Airport — or SFO as it is commonly called — offers gateway flights throughout Europe, Asia and Australia, in addition to serving destinations throughout North America. SFO is the largest airport in the bay area, and ranks as one of the 25 busiest in the world. The International Terminal is the largest in North America, and its two adjacent concourses increase the total area of the complex by two million square feet.
SFO’s geographic location demanded unique design considerations. The terminal is among the largest structures in the world to be built upon base isolators, which offer protection from seismic forces. Friction pendulum isolators, some 267 of them, are placed between the building and foundation, accommodating movements characteristic of local seismic events. Limited space at the site necessitated that the terminal be constructed above the airport’s main access road, completing SFO’s continuous circle of terminals.
The vertical exterior end walls of the dramatic roof structure provided by the Enclos team consists of custom designed unitized curtainwalls spanning over 60 feet. Throughout our history, Enclos has worked closely with architect Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP on many landmark projects designed by the firm.
This project has been the recipient of many awards, among them:
Honor Award – AIA California Council, 2001.
Innovative Design and Excellence in Architecture with Steel, First Place – American Institute of Steel Construction, 2001.
Award of Excellence, Landmark Structures Category – Structural Engineers Association of California, 2001.
National Honor Award for Architecture – AIA, 2002. |
